• High resolution laser spectroscopy and Fourier Transform spectroscopy of small molecular
  
  
• Ab initio Calculation of metal containing radicals.

High Resolution Laser Spectroscopy of Metal Containing Compounds in the Gas-phase

My research interest is focused on the area of high-resolution spectroscopic studies of transition metal compounds. With our home built laser vaporization/reaction free jet expansion molecular source, we have successfully studied a series of new molecules, such as transition metal halides, carbides, phosphides and sulfides. Using the very sensitive laser induced fluorescence (LIF), optical-optical double resonance (OODR), and cavity ring down (CRDS) spectroscopy, we have characterized the electronic studies of these new molecules, which include molecular structure, molecular orbital occupancy, and rotational and vibrational constants. We are also interested in studying the hyperfine structure of these metal-containing compounds. The hyperfine structure of this molecule is caused by the interaction of an electron with the magnetic moment of the metal nucleus, which requires extremely high resolution to resolve the structure. The transition metal molecules such as the oxides, nitrides and sulfides have been studied in our laboratory.

The molecules of interest presently are transition metal sulfides – VS, HfS, LaS; halides – NiBr, NiI, YCl, YBr, CoCl, CoI; nitrides – TiN, ZrN; oxide – LaO etc.

 

Coherent 699-21 ring dye laser

Laser Ablation/ Supersonic Free Jet Expansion LIF setup 1

Laser ablation/ supersonic free jet expansion LIF setup 2

Schematic Diagram of Laser Vaporization/LIF Experimental Setup

Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectra Setup

Sirah Pulse Dye Laser

Cavity Ringdown Setup

Absorption Cross-Section Measurements of Atmospheric Significant Molecules

The objective of these studies is to measure accurate absorption cross sections of molecular processes related to the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation and the penetration of solar radiation into the atmosphere. The Schumann - Runge bands of oxygen and the a, b, d and e systems of nitric oxide are of particular interest presently.

Catalytic reaction of CO₂ and CH₄

We are interested in studying the reaction intermediates in the CO₂ reforming reaction of CH₄ in a supersonic nozzle beam using Ni based catalyst. The sensitive cw-cavity ring down spectroscopy is used as a diagnostic tool to monitor the formation of intermediates.